How CV Revamp & Applying For The Right Roles Landed Me A Job!

The job search can be frustrating especially when your applications seem to be going into a black hole. An effective job search requires careful planning, perseverance, and a positive attitude because a job search without a plan leads to disappointments.  Remember “Failing to Plan = Planning to Fail.”

I had a lengthy conversation with Faith Wangalwa Odinga, an HR professional who had been looking for a job since 2021. She learned about CSS through the internet where she took one of our services and later applied for the role of Human Resource we had advertised for our client in manufacturing industry.

Here is her story.

Tell us about yourself.

My name is Faith Odinga, a very passionate HR and Admin professional with over 7 years of experience in HR & Admin with a majority of it in the manufacturing industry.

How long had you been looking for a job?

I had been actively looking for a job since the end of 2021 as it was the time I needed a change in my career because I felt that I had plateaued in some way, and was ready for a new challenge. I also wanted to relocate to Nairobi to complete my studies.

What has your job search experience been like?

The job search experience was never a walk in the park. Some would think that HR professionals are likely to ace the interviews on the first trial but that is not the case. I applied for many jobs, attended so many interviews, and received several regrets because of a few mistakes that I made.

Are there any specific challenges you encountered in your job search process?

I encountered many challenges from failing to apply for the job on time, to applying for many jobs without getting positive feedback and when I was lucky to get a few, they would not translate to job offers.

Where did you hear about Corporate Staffing and the job opportunity? And would you recommend Corporate Staffing to anyone?

I learned about Corporate Staffing Services back in 2019 through the internet. I reached out to them to revamp my CV and they did an amazing job. By then, I was not seriously looking for a job. Subsequently, I subscribed to their email list and would receive informative content and job opportunities that were relevant to my field.

I would recommend Corporate Staffing to not only job seekers but any professional who is interested in getting to grow in their career.

How were the application and interview process?

The application and interview processes were among the simplest, most straightforward, and most transparent processes I have ever experienced. All they required was my CV, so I just custom-made it for the job that I was applying for. Two weeks later after applying, I was invited for the first virtual and later the second physical interview and I was selected for the role.

Did you think you would get the job? Please give a reason.

I can say I was 70% confident that I would be considered because I had met all the requirements for the job and my interview skills were top-notch. The remaining 30% would be because the competition was stiff. After all, other candidates had relevant skills and experience but there are unique features that made me stand out.

 What do you think employers look for or check when selecting suitable candidates?

I will respond to this from an HR perspective. Apart from checking the basic requirements in terms of skills and knowledge for that particular position, we also check honesty, ability to solve problems, ability to work as part of a team, your communication skills, a teachable attitude, and someone who takes initiative and is proactive.

Many professionals continue to look for jobs during this tough time. What is your advice to them?

Looking for a job can be a full-time process by itself but make use of the job boards to apply for the jobs that you meet the requirements.

When applying for any role, avoid sending out generic CVs for all the jobs. Have it professionally done and tailor it to the job you’re applying for.

If you get a chance to be invited for an interview, ask for feedback so that you to build your confidence and know the areas that need to be improved.

The job market is saturated, ask yourself what makes you stand out in a pool of many applicants. Network and let other people know that you are looking for a job and never give up.